WEA courses

In this course, we will focus on a key component of art: colour. We will seek to understand what colours are made of, how they were chosen, and how they work altogether in a composition, and what they mean for the viewers. As we study examples from Ancient Egypt to contemporary art, this fascinating subject will take us beyond traditional art history. We will sometimes invoke chemistry, economy, and psychology as we study the colours of works of art. As a result of this course, you will gain keys to understand and appreciate the colours of any work of art.

Richard the Lionheart and John. Two brothers, the sons of a powerful King. Siblings, rivals, enemies. The course focuses on two contrasting Kings of England. One is considered the greatest of all monarchs, and the other the worst King ever to sit on the throne.

If you enjoy the buzz of learning environments, this qualification can teach you key skills for employment in a school or college. This government-funded course prepares you for a variety of roles. It provides the basic skills and knowledge necessary to work in admin, technical, or support roles in a learning environment. Studying support work in schools at level 2 can be a first step towards working with kids in teaching positions. It also provides you with the qualifications needed to work in admin at schools. No matter what role you’re interested in, this course can teach you skills for employability in schools and colleges.

Understanding a computer: how to turn a laptop on and off, use its controls and functions, access the accessibility tools. To describe the difference between hardware and software, apps and programs.

This course will help you progress to a Functional Skills Maths qualification. This course helps you learn the necessary maths skills to bridge the gap between entry level and Level 1 and Level 2 functional maths. Gain numeracy skills for learning, life, and work. This Multiply course helps you learn Maths as an adult. These preparatory courses give you extra study time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need. This is an adult maths course for people who are looking to progress to Level 1 or Level 2 functional skills courses. It is not accredited.

The detective story is one of the most popular literary genres, as well as one that has produced some classic novels. Each week we focus on a short detective story or novel, reading and discussing key passages. The selected novels are in chronological order, from the 19th century to modern times. We begin with Edgar Allen Poe and Conan Doyle, and end with Sophie Hannah. We’ll be able to share and debate interpretations, sharpen our critical and appreciative faculties, understand what detective fiction can tell us about the society and culture that produced it, and, hopefully, be inspired to read other works by the writers featured on the course. The course is funded by the Greater London Combined Authority.

This second of two courses on modern Chinese history concentrates on the history of China from 1912 to 1992 a time marked by profound transformations, including the fall of the imperial system, the rise of the First Republic, the Warlord Era, the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, and major upheavals of war, rebellion, revolution and geopolitical alignment. We trace the political social, cultural and economic development of China in the 20th Century. We consider the events, ideas and personalities that shaped this extraordinary national story. Throughout, we draw parallels with our own time and how we got here.

In this course we will discuss and analyse the following authors and their works. These are: Look Back in Anger - John Osborne. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - Muriel Spark. The Vet's Daughter - Barbara Comyns. A Voice Through A Cloud - Denton Welch. A Kind of Loving - Stan Barstow. These texts are an eclectic blend of plays, novels and the autobiographical in the case of Denton Welch, an eccentric and now largely forgotten. There will be great scope for discussion and the voicing of opinions, and you will be encouraged to develop your own theories and interpretations in a supportive atmosphere.

During this course we will explore the course of British Nature writing from the late nineteenth century until the early years of the twenty-first century. Our writers will include W.H. Hudson, Kenneth Grahame, Richard Mabey, Mark Cocker, Roger Deakin, Robert Macfarlane, Nan Shephard, Kathleen Jamie and a host of others. We will discover how the concerns and agendas of British Nature Writing have evolved over time towards the present and the rise of the Deep Ecology Movement and its writings. There will be ample scope for discussion and close reading of the chosen texts, and opportunity to analyse what, in some instances are, controversial ideas.

Literature: Writers of the Second World War is designed to introduce individuals to the literature that depicts the experiences and impact of the Second World War. This course covers key authors and works from the period, exploring their themes, contexts, and significance in literary history. Participants will read and analyse selected texts, learning about the historical and cultural backgrounds that influenced these works. The course includes lectures, discussions, and reading assignments that encourage critical thinking and deeper understanding of Second World War literature. By the end of the course, participants will have a comprehensive knowledge of the literature of the Second World War and its significance in the broader context of literary history. This course is ideal for literature enthusiasts and history buffs looking to explore the literature of the Second World War.